Columbia finance lecturer Eleni Vrana focuses on teaching, mentoring and service

Eleni Vrana, a Lecturer at Columbia University in New York, is building finance talent through graduate teaching, mentorship and volunteer work. Her career spans more than two decades in corporate and academic finance, and she is now preparing a book on women’s success and happiness.

Why it matters: - Eleni Vrana is helping train the next generation of finance professionals at Columbia University in the City of New York. - Her mix of corporate finance, academic leadership and mentoring gives students a bridge between classroom theory and real-world decision-making. - Vrana’s work also extends beyond the university through volunteering and efforts to support women, international students and young professionals.

What happened: - Vrana serves as a Lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, where she teaches graduate students corporate finance. - She has more than a decade of teaching experience. - She is currently focused primarily on teaching and volunteering. - She volunteers with Read Ahead, which helps elementary school students build a love of reading. - She has also applied to mentor international students in George Washington University’s MBA program.

The details: - Vrana spent 11 years at Sotheby’s in New York City. - At Sotheby’s, she held multiple leadership positions and worked on financial operations tied to major auctions. - As one of the account managers overseeing financial activities, she managed complex financial processes, coordinated operations and supported high-value transactions. - She later spent 16 years in Columbia University’s Finance Department in various leadership roles. - During much of that period, she also taught at Columbia, balancing both roles for nearly a decade. - Her academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Francisco, an MBA from George Washington University and a Master’s Business Certificate in Finance and Management from Columbia University. - Vrana is preparing to publish a co-authored book about women’s success and happiness. - The book focuses on principles for balancing family, work, personal growth and purpose. - She says faith, family, communication skills and hard work have been central to her success. - Vrana says her son, Gregory, is her biggest accomplishment and her daughter-in-law, Neda, is her greatest blessing. - She enjoys cooking and says family time helps keep her grounded.

Between the lines: - Vrana’s career path shows how finance expertise can translate into teaching, student support and institutional leadership. - Her emphasis on faith, service and mentorship suggests she sees career success as inseparable from personal purpose. - Her experience as an international student appears to shape her interest in guiding others through academic and professional transitions.

What's next: - Vrana plans to keep teaching, volunteering and mentoring. - She wants to help students, women and young professionals recognize their potential and pursue their goals with courage. - More information is available through her Influential Women profile and her Columbia University School of Professional Studies profile.

The bottom line: - Eleni Vrana has turned a long career in finance into a platform for education, mentorship and community impact.